Western Cape Government Health Awards 75 Staff Members for Long Service Excellence | Western Cape Government

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Western Cape Government Health Awards 75 Staff Members for Long Service Excellence

29 March 2012

Dedicated employees who have been working for Western Cape Government Health for 20, 30 and 40 years were honoured at a special Long Service Awards Ceremony on 30 March for their uninterrupted and devoted public service. The event was held at the Nico Malan Hall, Groote Schuur Hospital.

The annual ceremony recognises the staff who work tirelessly to make sure that patients receive the best care.

This year, from the head office alone, 75 staff members received long service awards - 57 staff members were awarded for 20 years, 16 staff members for 30 years and two staff members for 40 years of service.

Western Cape Minister of Health, Theuns Botha, extended his congratulations to the award recipients and thanked them for their long years of service to the communities of the Western Cape.

Minister Botha said: "Our successes and value added is evident when I see recipients who have given 20, 30 and 40 years continuous service to the department. I especially wish to name the employees who have given 30 and 40 years' dedicated service to the public service. Their contributions to their respective teams and the many lives they have improved are the epitome of our slogan: 'better together'. Many of the staff we recognise today are from the Directorate Engineering and Technical Support Services."

"Our Department of Health has 29 650 employees, of which the majority are nurses - 12 109 to be exact - and the second largest proportion of our staff is administration and support - 10 797. The rest are smaller in numbers - 2 503 doctors, 1 584 EMS personnel, 1 413 allied health workers, 410 assistant pharmacists, 371 pharmacists, 240 in engineering and related fields, 151 social workers and 72 dentists."

The award recipients included office support and administration staff, technical staff and healthcare workers. They have stayed put in their positions, dedicating their best years to the department.

Minister Botha added: "The employees who are awarded today saw the department move through many phases. Initially, health services were provided by the tri-chamber system and the previous Cape Provincial Administration (CPA). After the abolition of the tri-chamber system, the Cape Provincial Administration and City of Cape Town jointly provided health services for the province. Then in May 1996, it was decided to establish a human resource function for health, which brought about the Western Cape Department of Health."

Two staff members were saluted for their utter dedication and commitment during their 40 years of service to patients and the community. Mohammed Wassersfall, an Artisan: Painter at Zwaanswyk Mobile Workshop, started his career in the public service as a General Assistant on 29 December 1970 at Victoria Hospital.

He was translated to the rank of Tradesman Aid 11 in November 1993 and again to Handyman in September 1999. In December 2001, he successfully passed a trade test to qualify as an Artisan: Painter and Decorator and has been in his current position since March 2002.

Wassersfall has on numerous occasions received recognition for above-average work performance and is renowned for his excellent craftsmanship.

Elaine Sclanders started her career in the public service as a pharmacist in April 1970. She left the public service for a short while, but joined again on a permanent basis in November 1970. She was promoted to Principal Pharmacist in March 1974, Chief Pharmacist at Tygerberg Hospital in March 1999 and Deputy Director: Pharmaceutical Services in January 1999. As a result of the Occupational Service Dispensation, it was translated to Manager: Pharmaceutical Services (within the Directorate: Professional Support Services) in July 2009, the post which Sclanders still holds. She will be retiring from the service on 31 March 2012.

All of the award recipients are excellent examples of how loyally working better together can improve the patient's experience and ultimately healthcare for the people of the Western Cape.

Media Enquiries: 

Helene Rossouw
Media Liaison
Cell: 082 771 8834
Tel: 021 483 4426
E-mail: helene.rossouw@pgwc.gov.za